Melbourne botanic & zoological Gardens
August 3rd 1861.
Sir
In submitting a brief report on the labours in this establishment during the last
two months, I am gratified to state, that it has been in my power to supply numerous
public institutions this season with plants & seeds; indeed the distributions from
our nurseries and seed magazine have been so extensive, that at a moderate computation
of the value of these supplies a considerable proportion of the annual outlay for
this garden is indirectly refunded.
We have also in anticipation of next season's requirements not only restocked the
greater part of the nurseries of this garden, but also provided at the Royal park
a stock of young plants required for the shrubberies & copses there next season.
The interchanges with public institutions abroad continues with undiminished vigour.
Thus amongst what we received during the last two months are contained glass cases
with plants from Ghent, Hobarton, Brisbane, Manilla and Calcutta, living plants from
Western Australia, dried plants and seeds from Petersburg & Stuttgarth, importations
of seeds from various parts of the globe; — the latter contain amidst numerous other
highly desirable species both kinds of
, the gigantic
, the American Arbor Vitae,
, the umbrageous Acacia Lebbek, the hedge forming
, Deodar Cedars, Himalayan large Juniper, new kind of Liquorice, West India Copal
plant, Catechu palm, Lebanon & Atlantic Cedar.
During the last two months also considerable improvements have taken place in the
garden and domains. The old wooden fences are now for the greater part removed with
the completion of the new iron fences. Rearranging of the plants where needful, took
place in the shrubberies. A number of rare plants were transferred from the nurseries
to the general garden. The famous Chinese Rice paper plant and other botanical rarities
have flowered for the first time in the garden during the last two months. A rich
collection of pines has been planted out near the palm house; a valuable assortment
of Oaks from Europe, Asia and America found a permanent place on the lawn between
the Office building and the store house.
Many edgings had to be renewed. Mesembryanthema were planted on the rocky walls of
the Quarries. Some of the old roads through the reserve have been obliterated and
the bare places sown with grass, clover and shrub seeds. A circular iron enclosure
has been erected at the rise beyond the Western entrance of the garden, whereon large
Elms have been moved, in order to provide at that spot, where so extensive a view
may be enjoyed, a delightful resting place for visitors. A new walk has been marked
out through the reserve and has been lined with American planes, this being the first
avenue of this beauty tree formed in all Australia.
The line is intended to be prolongated to the entrance at the Immigration depot and
thereby the shortest walk from the City bridge to South Yarra will be indicated. A
line of Corsican pines has been planted along the St. Kilda road, and cross lines
of American Locust trees and Black Poplars in the middle part of the reserve. A line
of
's has been arranged along the South side of the lake. The nursery ground at the experimental
division of the garden has been considerably extended, and we have made arrangements
to extirpate every where around the garden the all suffocating South African
,
by hindering through methodical cutting the plant to seminate. A fine collection
of cereals has been sown in one of the enclosures of the garden. The Orchestra pavilion
has been surrounded with
s 6 years old, capable of affording this season already a fine shade. Iron seats around
these trees it is intended should be early provided.
So much difficulty being felt in providing water at the higher parts of our ground,
I found it desirable to have a cistern sunk at the botanical Museum Building, by which
means the carting of water to that part of our ground will be dispensed with.
Along the unsightly Lagoons near the City bridge I had some fair-sized Willows scattered,
likely to improve greatly the aspect of that part of the environs of Melbourne. About
120 recently painted Iron labels have been distributed, for naming rare plants, over
our garden.
In the zoological department we had an increase of our Angora goats by 2 young and
a flock of our Cape Barren Geese. The Black swans hatched now also for the first time.
Amongst the Donations are some Indian Deer, Peacocks, and Bengal sheep. The shipment
of some native birds to the Society of Acclimatisation in Paris, of 5 kinds of Yarra
fish to Regents Park,
and of some Australian Eagles to Calcutta was effected.
A hayshed was erected in the Northern ground. Seven stately Curasows were imported
on expense of the Government; for these birds a new special enclosure was finished.
Some Murray Lobsters were liberated in the Yarra. The inclemency of the season having
shown its effects on several of the more tender animals, we were obliged to provide
heated stables for some of the Indian Deer.
Having been entrusted by his Excellency Sir Hercules Robinson of Hong Kong with the
honoring duty to appoint a gardener for the formation of a Government garden at Hong
Kong, my choice fell on Mr. Th. Donaldson who proceeded by the last Mailsteamer to
his new destination.
Since the heaviest winter labours have passed, I shall be in the position of resuming
regularly my literary work, particularly on the Flora of Victoria,
for which two new sheets and several plates have been finished during the last two
months.
But as it is very desirable, that I should have more assistance in my Office work,
so that I may concentrate more of my time to strictly scientific labours, I have selected
Mr Heyne, one of the most zealous and talented officers of my department for periodical
aid in clerical work, and I would beg leave to propose to the Honorable the Chief
Secretary, that I may be permitted to increase the income of that gentleman by one
shilling additional daily payment.
I have the honour to be
Sir
your most obedient & humble
Ferd. Mueller.
The honorable the Chief Secretary
